AFK
How idle detection works, how to go AFK manually, what keeps you active, and what other players see.
Auto-AFK after: 10 minutes of no movement AND 10 minutes of no chat or commands
Return by: Walking, chatting, or running any command
Visible to others: Blue broadcast + [AFK] tag in the player list
Overview
When you stop being active on the server, either by going idle or by using the /afk command, you are marked as AFK. This broadcasts a blue announcement to every online player and adds an [AFK] tag next to your name in the player list so others know you're away. When you become active again, another broadcast announces your return and the tag is removed.
Being AFK is purely a status indicator. You still take damage, mobs can still target you, and the world around you continues normally. There are no gameplay protections. It just lets other players know you're not at your keyboard.
Going AFK Manually
Using /afk sets your AFK status right away without waiting for any timer. You'll receive a personal confirmation message and a blue broadcast is sent to everyone online.
| Situation | What You See |
|---|---|
| Command works | You are now AFK. (only visible to you) |
| You're already AFK | You are already AFK. (no duplicate broadcast) |
| AFK is disabled | AFK is disabled right now. |
| You type any arguments | Usage: /afk |
Going AFK Automatically
The server automatically marks you AFK when both of the following are true at the same time. One alone is never enough. You need to be idle in both ways simultaneously.
| Condition | Threshold | Reset By |
|---|---|---|
| No movement | 10 minutes of not walking to a new block | Walking anywhere using your keyboard |
| No chat or commands | 10 minutes of not typing anything | Sending a chat message or running any command |
What Counts as Activity
Not everything resets your timers. The server specifically tracks whether you caused the movement, so things like knockback or riding a vehicle don't count.
| Action | Resets Movement Timer? | Resets Chat Timer? |
|---|---|---|
| Walking (W/A/S/D) | Yes | No |
| Jumping while moving | Yes | No |
| Sending a chat message | No | Yes |
| Running any command | No | Yes |
| Looking around (mouse only) | No | No |
| Jumping in place on flat ground | No | No |
| Fishing | No | No |
| Riding a minecart or boat | No | No |
| Being knocked back by a mob | No | No |
| Being pushed by a piston or water | No | No |
Returning from AFK
Once you're AFK, any of these actions immediately clears your status and broadcasts your return to all online players:
What Other Players See
Every time you go AFK or return, a blue announcement is broadcast to everyone online. It uses your display name: your nickname if you have one set, otherwise your Minecraft username.
| Event | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| Going AFK | AFK Announcer: PlayerName is AFK. |
| Returning from AFK | AFK Announcer: PlayerName is no longer AFK. |
While you are AFK, your name in the player list (Tab key) shows an [AFK] prefix so anyone can see your status at a glance without having to have been online when you went AFK.
Scenario Examples
You're not moving but you're typing, so the chat timer keeps resetting. You will never go AFK.
Running around your farm, not typing:
You're moving so the movement timer keeps resetting. You will never go AFK.
Standing still, not saying anything:
Both timers count down together. After 10 minutes, you go AFK.
Riding a minecart AFK farming:
The minecart moves you, but that doesn't count as your movement. If you also haven't typed in 10 minutes, you will go AFK even though you appear to be moving.
Fishing at a pond:
Casting and reeling doesn't count as movement or chat. Both timers keep running and you will go AFK after 10 minutes of no other activity.
Other Things to Know
| Situation | What Happens |
|---|---|
| You join the server | Both timers start fresh. You won't go AFK immediately after joining. |
| You leave while AFK | Your AFK status is removed silently. No return broadcast is sent. Other players just see your normal disconnect message. |
| You only look around | Mouse rotation alone doesn't reset anything. Both timers keep counting. |
| You jump in place | Jumping straight up on flat ground doesn't move you to a new block, so the movement timer is not reset. |
| You use /afk while already AFK | You get a message saying you're already AFK. No duplicate broadcast is sent. |
| You have a nickname set | AFK broadcasts use your nickname, not your Minecraft username, the same as how you appear in chat. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I prevent going AFK without typing /afk?
A: Yes. Walk to a new block at least once every 10 minutes, or send a chat message or run a command. Either resets its respective timer. You need both timers to expire at once, so keeping either one fresh is enough.
Q: Does AFK protect me from anything?
A: No. Being AFK is purely informational. You still take damage, mobs can still attack you, and nothing about your gameplay changes. It only affects what other players see.
Q: Can I see who is AFK?
A: Yes. Open the player list with Tab and look for the [AFK] prefix next to a name. You can also watch for the blue broadcast announcements in chat.
Q: Does riding a minecart or boat keep me from going AFK?
A: No. The vehicle is moving you, not your keyboard, so it doesn't count as your movement. If you haven't typed anything either, you'll go AFK on schedule.
Q: Will fishing keep me from going AFK?
A: No. Fishing doesn't count as movement or chat, so both timers still run. You'll go AFK after 10 minutes of fishing with no other activity.
Q: What if I disconnect while AFK?
A: No return broadcast is sent. Everyone just sees your normal disconnect message.